Adjustable golf tee

ABSTRACT

An adjustable golf tee includes an elongated shank having a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a plurality of tab members projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged in a vertically spaced relationship along the shank. The ball supporting top end may include a plurality of prongs to reduce the contact area between the tee and a ball. An adjustable stop is mounted for separate vertical movement on the shank and rotational movement between an unlocked position and a locked position. The adjustable stop has an internal cavity with a slide channel for receiving tabs. A lip-shaped protrusion is frictionally engageable with at least one of the tabs to effect the locking position. The stop may include a stake for connecting the stop with the ground such that the stop may be used as a ball marker.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/344,752, filed Dec. 29, 2008, which claims priority to U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/042,080, filed Apr. 3, 2008,the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to apparatus and equipment usedin playing and practicing the game of golf. More particularly, thepresent disclosure pertains to an improved golf tee having an adjustableheight structure for consistent placement of a golf ball to enableoptimum contact by a golf club.

BACKGROUND

The rules of golf enable a golfer to start every hole with a tee toposition the ball above the ground. Typically, golf tees are made ofwood or plastic and have a shaft or shank which extends along asubstantially constant diameter cross section for a predetermineddistance from a pointed end insertable into the ground and then smoothlyflares outwardly to an enlarged cup on which the ball is seated.

The height of the golf ball above the ground is determined by thedistance or depth that the pointed end of the tee is inserted into theground. The ball height above the ground, depending upon the player'saction during a golf swing, plays a part in the flight path and distancethat the ball will travel when hit. If the height is wrong, i.e. toohigh above the ground, the ball will travel very high, but not very fardown the fairway. If the ball height is too low, the ball will notachieve optimal vertical height and it will not, therefore, travel veryfar horizontally down the fairway.

The height of the ball above the ground on each tee shot will vary fromgolfer to golfer based on an individual's swing. However, a uniformheight on each swing is important if the club face is to meet the ballat the same angle each time.

Setting the ball at the same height each time the golfer swings a drive,a fairway wood, iron or wedge improves a golfer's confidence andprovides for repeated consistency in hitting the ball in the center ofthe face of the club selected.

The rules of golf further permit golf balls to be lifted from the greento keep the ball from being an obstruction or distraction to othergolfers. Ball markers are used to mark the location of a lifted golfball. Typical ball markers are substantially disc-shaped, with a stakeprotruding from one of the flat disc surfaces for being inserted intothe ground to keep the marker in position until the player removes themarker and replaces the golf ball. Ball markers are easily lost and canbe confused for coins within a player's pocket.

Traditional golf tees have a cup-shaped top end for supporting a ballabove the ground. Friction is generated between the cup-shaped top endand the ball when the ball is struck. This friction affects thetrajectory and distance of a struck golf ball. The interaction betweenthe ball and the cup-shaped top end of the tee may also affect thestraightness of a drive when the ball is struck. Thus, a golf tee thatminimizes friction between the golf tee and the ball is desirable, toimprove the distance and straightness of drives from the tee.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a height adjustable golf tee which, inone example includes an elongated shank having a ball supporting topend, a tapered bottom end and a tab structure projecting outwardly fromthe shank and arranged in vertically spaced relationship between the topend and the bottom end of the shank. An adjustable stop member ismounted for separate vertical and rotational movement on the shank froman unlocked position to a locked position. The adjustable member isformed with an internal cavity having a surface for rotationallyreceiving the tab structure and providing an interference memberfrictionally engageable with the tab structure to effect the lockingposition.

At least one of the shank and the adjustable stop member can be providedwith locating structure for enabling locating the adjustable stop memberat a discrete height position along a length of the shank. The tabstructure includes a plurality of resilient, fin-shaped tabs extendingfrom at least one side of the shank. The tab structure is frictionallyretained in a seat formed in the internal cavity adjacent theinterference member. The adjustable stop member has a substantially flatupper surface. At least a portion of the tab structure is held in thelocked position within the adjustable stop member. A slide channelreceives the tab structure during vertical sliding movement of theadjustable stop member along the shank, and extends from the flat uppersurface of the adjustable stop member to a locking channel beneath theupper surface for rotatably receiving the tab structure. The lockingchannel has a curved outer wall and a flat top wall.

In one form, a height adjustable golf tee includes an elongated shankwith a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end, and a tabstructure projecting outwardly from the shank and arranged in verticallyspaced relationship between the top end and the bottom end. Anadjustable member mounted for vertical sliding and rotational movementis provided on the shank to establish variable heights for the ballsupporting top end of the shank above a ground surface by preventinginsertion of the shank into the ground surface beyond the bottom surfaceof the adjustable member. The adjustable member has a body formedinternally with a slide channel for slidably receiving the tab structurewhen the adjustable member is moved vertically along the shank. The bodyis also formed internally with a locking channel for rotatably receivingthe tab structure between an unlocked and a locked position, andproviding an interference member frictionally engageable with the tabstructure to effect the locking position in a seat formed in the lockingchannel.

In another form, a height adjustable golf tee includes a shank with aball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a tab structureprojecting from the shank, and an adjustable stop member slidable alonga shank to an adjustment position and rotatable about the periphery ofthe shank between unlocked and locked positions. The adjustable stopmember is formed with an internal cavity having a surface for rotatablyreceiving the tab structure, and providing an interference memberfrictionally engageable with the tab structure to effect a lockingcondition. At least one of the shank and the adjustable stop member isprovided with a locating structure for enabling locating the adjustablestop member at the adjustment position along the shank.

In another form, a height adjustable golf tee includes a ground engagingstop member. The golf tee has an elongated shank having a ballsupporting top end, a tapered bottom end and a plurality of tab membersprojecting outwardly from the shank. The tab members are arranged invertically spaced relationship between the top end and bottom end of theshank. The golf tee has an adjustable stop member configured forseparate vertical and rotational movement on the shank. The adjustablestop member is configured to rotate between an unlocked position inwhich the adjustable stop member may translate vertically, and a lockposition in which the adjustable stop member is vertically constrained.

In yet another form, the adjustable stop member includes a disc-shapedbody with a bore disposed therein through which the elongated shankextends. The adjustable stop member also has a tab engaging portionconfigured for rotatably receiving at least one of the plurality of tabmembers and for frictionally engaging with the at least one of theplurality of tab members to effect the locked position. The adjustablestop member further has a stake member having an elongated configurationconnected to the disc-shaped body. The stake member is generallyperpendicular to the disc-shaped body and is configured for connectingthe stop member to the ground with the stop member removed from theelongated shank.

Various other objects, features and advantages will be made apparentfrom the following description and claims taken together with thedrawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a height adjustable golf tee;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a shank used in the golf tee ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged detail view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged bottom perspective view of an adjustablenut/stopper used in the golf tee of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged bottom view of the adjustable nut/stopper;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged detail view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of FIG. 1 showing the adjustablenut/stopper in cross section;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged sectional view depicting rotational movement ofthe adjustable nut/stopper towards a locking position relative to theshank of the golf tee;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 showing the adjustable nut/stopperin a locked position on the shank of the golf tee;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the heightadjustable golf tee in a locked position;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged top perspective view of the adjustablenut/stopper used in the golf tee of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a front elevational view of the shank used in the golf tee ofFIG. 13;

FIG. 16 is a view similar to FIG. 15 rotated 90° counterclockwise;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 17-17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the adjustable nut/stopper shown in FIG. 14;

FIG. 19 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 19-19 of FIG. 18;

FIG. 20 is a sectional view taken on line 20-20 of FIG. 19;

FIG. 21 is a front elevational view of FIG. 13;

FIG. 22 is a sectional view of FIG. 21 depicting vertical adjustment ofthe nut/stopper along the shank of a golf tee;

FIG. 23 is a view similar to FIG. 22 depicting rotational movement ofthe nut/stopper about the shank of the golf tee;

FIG. 24 is an enlarged sectional view of a locating arrangement betweenthe nut/stopper and the shank as taken on line 24-24 of FIG. 21;

FIG. 25 is a bottom view of FIG. 21; and

FIG. 26 is a view similar to FIG. 25 showing the nut/stopper rotated 90°to a locked position on the shank of the golf tee;

FIG. 27 is a perspective view showing an alternate embodiment of aheight adjustable golf tee according to the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a front view showing the golf tee of FIG. 27;

FIG. 29 is a perspective view showing a lower surface of an adjustablestopper of the height adjustable golf tee of FIG. 27;

FIG. 30 is a side view of the adjustable stopper;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable golf tee along theline A-A from FIG. 28;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view showing an upper surface of the adjustablestopper;

FIG. 33 is a cross-sectional view of an adjustable golf tee along theline B-B from FIG. 31.

FIG. 34 is a magnified view of the portion of FIG. 33 enclosed by thesection line C-C.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-34 illustrate several embodiments of a golf tee 10,10 a, and 110having respective nut/stoppers 14, 14 a, and 114. The design of the tees10,10 a, and 110 keeps the respective nut/stoppers 14, 14 a, and 114 ina secured locked position even after contact with the face of the golfclub. The tab structure on each tee serves to hold the nut/stoppers 14,14 a, and 114 in place, and to create a snapping, tactile response whenlocked in place.

The locking tab structure effectively holds the adjustable nut/stoppers14, 14 a, and 114 firmly in position to set the golf ball at differentheights for different club conditions. The tees 10,10 a, and 110 can beset at the highest ball position for the driver and at the lowest ballposition for wedge shots. Care must be taken by the golfer to properlyset the height position of the tee to avoid popping the ball high intothe air or driving the ball into the ground. Given that each golfer hasa different swing pattern, the tees 10,10 a, and 110 are designed to becapable of always placing the golf ball in the center of the club facefor each different golf club. The height at which the ball is placedneeds to be consistent and repetitive in order for the golfer to gainconfidence and repetitively hit the ball well. The tees 10, 10 a, and110 provide multiple settings to always put the ball at the same heightbased on the golfer's preference and experience. The tees may be usedwith success for instruction and training of new golfers as well as forrefinement of the game by seasoned golf players.

FIGS. 1-12 illustrate a golf tee 10 used for setting the position of agolf ball at a specific height as desired by an individual golfer. Thetee 10 is adjustable to different heights relative to a playing surfaceso that the golfer can select the height that is most desirable for thegolfer's swing path.

The tee 10 is generally comprised of an elongated, generally cylindricalshank 12, and an adjustable member in the form of a nut/stopper 14 whichis mounted for vertical sliding and rotational adjustment on shank 12between unlocked and locked positions. In one embodiment, the tee 10 iscomprised of a synthetic plastic with corn starch or another additive.Other known materials may also be used.

As best seen in FIGS. 1-3, the shank 12 has a ball supporting top end orcup 16 which is concavely recessed to seat a golf ball. A peripheraledge of the cup 16 is formed with ribs 18 to help a golfer grip the tee10. The top end of the shank 12 is not limited to the cup 16, and maytake other forms that support the golf ball in an acceptable manner. Theshank 12 extends downwardly from cup 16 and terminates in a taperedbottom end 20 to facilitate placement of shank 12 into a playingsurface, typically, grass covered soil.

A plurality of pairs of resilient, fin-like locking tabs 22, 24, 26, 28,30 and 32 defining tab structure are arranged in suitable verticallyspaced apart relationship lengthwise of the shank 12. The tabs 22, 24,26, 28, 30 and 32 are designed to be movably received and lockinglyengaged within the adjustable nut/stopper 14 to hold the nut/stopper 14firmly in place on shank 12 to set the golf ball at different heightsfor different club selections. The uppermost pair of tabs 22 are locatedadjacent to and beneath the ball supporting cup 16. The lowermost pairof tabs 32 are positioned adjacent to and above the tapered bottom end20. The tabs of each pair are diametrically disposed with respect toeach other, and project outwardly from the shank 12 such that the tabsform two vertically aligned rows extending lengthwise of the shank 12 asseen most clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3. This alignment helps create a groovein the soil when the tee 10 is placed in use.

The tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32 are of substantially identical thicknessand are vertically spaced apart equidistantly along a length of theshank to create a number of gaps 34 (FIG. 3) between adjacent endsthereof. Each of the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28 and 30 has an upper surface 36,a lower surface 38 and an outer surface 40 which is sloped inwardly at42 to aid the golfer when the tee 10 is pulled from the soil. Each ofthe lowermost tabs 32 has an upper surface 44, and an outer surface 46which is specially designed to slope inwardly at 48 at a top end, andalso slope or taper inwardly at 50 towards the tapered bottom end 20 ofthe shank 12. The tabs 32 are sloped at 50 with a draft angle formedadvantageously to split the soil as the tee 10 is pushed downwardlytherein. A tip 52 of the shank 12 is rounded off to prevent any injuryto a golfer handling the tee 10. As seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, the peripheryof the shank 12 is provided with circumferential indentations 54 formedimmediately below the lower surfaces 38 of tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. Theindentations 54 serve as locating structure to help the golfer determinea desired vertical adjustment position of the nut/stopper 14 along thelength of shank 12. The bottom outer corner 56 of each of the tabs 22,24, 26, 28, 30 has a soft radius to further facilitate insertion of tee10 into the soil. It should be understood that the shank 12 may havedifferent lengths and different numbers of tabs to satisfy the desireddesign of the individual golfer.

The adjustable nut/stopper 14 is configured to be adjustably fixedorthogonal to the shank 12 at predetermined locations longitudinallythereof to act as a stop for positioning the cup 16 at predeterminedheights above the soil.

Referring now to FIGS. 6-12, the nut/stopper 14 has a generallyfrusto-conical body 58 having a flat upper surface 60, a flat lowersurface 62, and a flaring sidewall formed with ribbing 64 completelythereon. The ribbing 64 creates a surface that can be easily grippedwhen twisting the tee 10 and locking the nut/stopper 14 in place onshank 12. The nut/stopper body 58 has a height which corresponds to thevertical distance between a lowermost surface of cup 16 and the lowersurface 38 of tab 22, the lower surfaces 38 between any adjacent tabpair 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 and between lower surfaces 38 of tab pair 30 andthe outer surface 46 of tab pair 32.

As best depicted in FIG. 7, the nut/stopper 14 is formed with aninternal cavity that includes a slide channel 66 for slidably receivingthe tab structure on shank 12 when the nut/stopper 14 is movedvertically along the shank 12, and a locking channel 68 for rotatablyreceiving the tab structure on shank 12 between an unlocked position anda locked position.

The slide channel 66 is provided in the shape a key hole having aconcentric bore 70 for snugly and slidably receiving the periphery ofshank 12. Slide channel 66 further includes a pair of notches 72extending radially from the wall of bore 70 for slidably receiving anyof the tabs 22, 24, 26, 28, 30, 32. The slide channel 66 opens into thelocking channel 68 which includes a pair of curved slightly flared orramped outer walls 74 and a pair of top walls 76. The walls 74 and 76are designed to provide 90° of rotary travel of the tab structurebetween the unlocked and locked positions.

The outer walls 74 are each uniquely formed with an interference snapbead 78 that is located adjacent a locking seat 80 spaced about 90° fromnotch 72. The seats 80 are shaped to receive and positively retain thetab structure.

In an exemplary use, the nut/stopper 14 is slidable up and down alongtab structure of the shank 12 to a variety of height adjustmentpositions generally defined by the placement of the bottom surface 62 ofnut/stopper 14 immediately above one of the locator indentations 54formed on shank 12 as illustrated in FIG. 10. Once in a verticalunlocked adjustment position, the nut/stopper 14 may be twisted 90°counterclockwise such that the outer surfaces 40 of tabs 26 frictionallymove along the ramped outer walls 74, and the upper surfaces 36 of tabs26 travel along the top walls 76. During the twisting movement, thelower surfaces 38 of tabs 26 are aligned with the lower surface 62 ofnut/stopper 14. When the resilient tabs 26 approach 90° of rotarytravel, the outer surfaces 40 engage the interference beads 78 formed onouter walls 74 and flex back as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 11. As agolfer applies more rotational pressure, the outer surfaces 40 of thetabs 26 travel over the beads 78 into the seats 80 creating an audiblesnap sound and tactile response signaling the locked position of thenut/stopper 14 on the shank 12 as shown in FIG. 12. Here, thenut/stopper 14 is prevented from further movement relative to the shank12 in both the vertical and counterclockwise rotational directions. Oncein the locked position, the tee 10 may be pressed into the ground untilthe lower surface 62 of nut/stopper 14 contacts the soil therebyestablishing a desired height position for the cup 16 which may then beloaded with the golf ball.

Once the ball is driven from the cup 16, the tee 10 is extracted fromthe ground with the help of the upper structure of the tabs 22, 24, 26,28, 30, and 32. The golfer is then free to unlock the nut/stopper 14 byapplying a clockwise twist, and sliding the nut/stopper 14 to adifferent vertical height position for a different club, if desired. Itshould be understood that any dirt retained on the shank 12 after beingpulled from the ground will be subsequently removed by the sliding ofthe nut/stopper 14 on shank 12.

FIGS. 13-26 show an alternative embodiment of a golf tee 10 a having ashank 12 a and an adjustable nut/stopper 14 a. The shank 12 a has a ballsupporting cup 16 a and a tapered bottom end 12 a. A plurality ofresilient, fin-like locking tabs 22 a, 24 a, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a and 32 aproject outwardly in vertical alignment from only one side of the shank12 a. Each of the tabs 22 a, 24 a, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a, 32 a has agenerally rectangular shape defined by a horizontal upper surface 36 a,a horizontal lower surface 38 a and a vertical outer surface 40 a asseen in FIG. 22. A series of aligned locator indentations 54 a areformed along the length of shank 12, and extend partially around theshank 12 a at positions located beneath the tab lower surfaces 38 a andspaced rotationally therefrom.

The adjustable nut/stopper 14 a includes a frusto-conical body 58 ahaving a flat upper surface 60 a, a flat lower surface 62 a and asidewall which may be formed completely with ribbing 64 a (FIG. 13) orpartially with ribbing 82 along a lower periphery thereof (FIG. 14). Inthe latter design, the sidewall of body 58 a is provided with an area 84for indicia such as a logo or the like. In addition, the flat uppersurface 60 a is provided with a directional arrow 86, a symbol 88representing the unlocked position of the nut/stopper 14 a and a symbol90 representing the locked position of the nut/stopper 14 a.

The nut/stopper 14 a is constructed with an internal cavity having aslide channel 66 a defined by a concentric bore 70 a and a single notch72 a extending radially from the wall of bore 70 a. As shown in FIGS.18-21, the upper end of bore 70 a is provided with a projecting nub 92which is engageable with the indentations 54 a as a nut/stopper 14 a ismoved up and down along shank 12 a. The engagement between the nub 92and the indentations 54 a forms a tactile locating arrangement to helpthe golfer in selecting the desired vertical height adjustment positionof the nut/stopper 14 a on the shank 12 a. Slide channel 66 a opens intoa locking channel 68 a having a top wall 76 a and a curved outer wall 74a formed with an interference snap bead 78 a adjacent a locking seat 80a.

In an exemplary use, the nut/stopper 14 a is slidable up and down alongthe tabs 22 a, 24 a, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a, and 32 a of the shank 12 a asdepicted in FIGS. 21 and 22. During the vertical sliding movement, thenub 92 on nut/stopper 14 a sequentially engages a respective indentation54 a corresponding to each tab 22 a, 24 a, 26 a, 28 a, 30 a, 32 a. Inthe example illustrated, the tactile engagement of nub 92 with theindentations 54 a beneath tab 24 a identifies a height adjustmentposition wherein tab 26 a is slidably received in the unlocked positionwithin the nut/stopper 14 a as illustrated in FIGS. 24 and 25.Nut/stopper 14 a is then twisted counterclockwise as shown in FIGS. 23and 26 to move upper surface 36 a of tab 26 a long top wall 76 a andouter surface 40 a of tab 26 a along outer wall 74 a snapping over bead78 a and into the seat 80 a which defines the locked position. Besidesthe aural and tactile signal indicating the locked position ofnut/stopper 14 a, the golfer may visually observe the unlocked positionof the tab 26 a within the nut/stopper 14 a by means of the unlockedsymbol 88, and easily determine that twisting of the nut/stopper 14 a inthe direction of arrow 86 will lead to the locked position representedby the lock symbol 90.

An alternative form of the present invention is depicted in FIGS. 27-33,wherein the adjustable golf tee 110 comprises an elongated shank 112,and an adjustable stopper 114 is also configured to act as a ballmarker. As shown in FIGS. 27-28, a series of tab members 122, 124, 126,128, 130, and 132 are arrayed vertically along the elongated shank 112between a ball supporting top end 116 and a tapered bottom end 120. Thetab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are arrayed in a singlefile along the elongated shank 112, and are separated from one anotherby a substantially consistent distance 134. The tapered bottom end 120includes a point 152 to ease insertion of the adjustable golf tee intothe ground. The point 152 is rounded to minimize the risk of injury tothe golfer using the tee.

The ball-supporting top end 116 has a plurality of prongs 117 extendingoutwardly from the shank 112 to support a ball. The prongs 117 extendupwardly away from the ball-supporting top end 116. Each prong 117 has atop surface 115 that comes to a point 119 at a distal end of the prong117. The points 119, in conjunction with the other points 119 on theother prongs 117, operate to provide stable support for a ball on theball supporting top end 116 of the adjustable golf tee 110, whileminimizing the surface area of the adjustable golf tee 110 that is incontact with the ball. It is believed that the disclosed three-prongdesign contacts a golf ball with approximately 66% less surface areathan a traditional cup-shaped design. It is believed that a golf ballstruck from a tee will more consistently travel in an expected directionif the surface area in contact with the ball is minimized. Further,reducing friction between the ball and tee also adds distance to a drivefrom the tee. Testing has indicated that the disclosed three-prongconfiguration can add up to five yards of distance and yield improvedaccuracy by fifty percent over a traditional cup-shaped design.

Although the present embodiment is shown having three prongs 117,various different ball supports are contemplated, including, but notlimited to a ball support with two, four, five, or six prongs 117, or atraditional cup-shaped design similar to the one shown in FIG. 1. Theshape of the prongs 117 may be altered without deviating from thecontemplated invention. The top surfaces 115 instead of the points 119of the prongs 117 may be used to support a ball, although such a designwould not minimize the surface area of the adjustable golf tee 110 thatcontacts the ball.

The adjustable stop 114 has a disc-like body having an upper face 160and a lower face 162. A stake 165 protrudes from the lower surface 162,such that the adjustable stop 114 may be used as a ball marker when theadjustable stop 114 is removed from the elongated shank 112. The stake165 is long enough to engage the soil and secure the adjustable stop 114in the ground when the adjustable stop 114 is pressed into the groundsuch that the upper face 160 of the adjustable stop 114 is substantiallycoincident with the ground. The stake 165 should be positioned on thelower face 162 such that it does not interfere with the tab members 122,124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 when the adjustable stop 114 is rotatedbetween the locked position and the unlocked position.

With the adjustable stop 114 connected to the ground via the stake 165,the adjustable stop 114 is kept from blowing away in the wind or frombeing moved inadvertently by a golfer. The body of the adjustable stop114 is preferably relatively thin, so that it does not protrudesignificantly above the ground when placed thereon. A shoulder 159protrudes from the lower surface 162, partially surrounding theelongated shank 112. The shoulder 159 terminates at one end with anaxially oriented wall 191 that acts as a rotational limit for theadjustable stop 114. The shoulder 159 and the wall 191 are furtherdiscussed below. The design of the adjustable stop 114 may be such thatit only requires a single column of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130and 132 to securely lock the adjustable stop 114 to the elongated shank112. This design has a further advantage of minimizing the structures onthe lower surface 162 that would protrude into the ground when theadjustable stop 114 is used as a ball marker. Minimizing protrusionsfrom the lower surface 162 reduces the amount of force required toinsert the adjustable stop 114 in the ground when the adjustable stop114 is used as a ball marker. An outer edge 164 of the adjustable stop114 has a knurled or ridged surface such that a person is easily able togrip and rotate the adjustable stop 114 relative to the elongated shank112.

The adjustable stop 114 and the elongated shank 112 are configured suchthat the effective height of the golf tee 110 is adjustable by varyingthe location of the adjustable stop 114 along the elongated shank 112.The adjustable stop 114 limits the depth to which the elongated shank112 may be inserted in the ground, by bearing against the ground surfacewhen the golf tee 110 is inserted into the ground. The adjustable stop114 may be positioned and locked at a plurality of locations along theelongated shank 112. The tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132define the locations for the adjustable stop 114 as further describedbelow. A limiting rib 155 defines an upper limit of travel for theadjustable stop 114 at the top end 116 of the elongated shank 112.

The adjustable stop 114 may be removed completely from the elongatedshank 112 at the bottom end 120 of the elongated shank 112. Upon beingremoved from the elongated shank 112, the adjustable stop 114 may beused as a ball marker, as discussed further below. When not in use as aball marker, the adjustable stop 114 may be placed back on the shank 112and locked into the desired position thereon. In this way, theadjustable stop 114 is easily kept and stored with the golf tee 110 sothat it is less likely to be lost and more easily retrieved when neededas a ball marker.

Referring now to FIGS. 29-30, the adjustable stop 114 is discussed infurther detail. The adjustable stop 114 has a central cavity 166 sizedto receive the elongated shank 112. The cavity 166 has a substantiallyconcentric bore surface 170 that extends around the elongated shank 112.The cavity 166 is substantially located at the center of the adjustablestopper 114. However, a person having ordinary skill in the art willrecognize that the cavity may be located in different places within theadjustable stop 114. The cavity 166 further has a slide channel 172configured to receive the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132as the adjustable stop is moved relative to the axial length of theelongated shank 112. The tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132have substantially the same thickness, such that they each may passthrough the slide channel 172 in the cavity 166 of the adjustable stop114.

The adjustable stop 114 has a locked position and an unlocked positionrelative to the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. In thelocked position, the adjustable stop 114 is axially constrained relativeto the elongated shank 112. In the unlocked position, the tab members122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are aligned with the slide channel 172,and the adjustable stop 114 is therefore able to slide along the lengthof the elongated shank 112. The locked position is indicated by a lockicon 190 on the lower face 162 of the adjustable stop 114. Similarly,the unlocked position may be indicated by an unlock icon 188 on thelower face 162 of the adjustable stop 114. An arrow icon 186 may bepositioned between the lock icon 190 and unlock icon 188 to indicate therotational movement of the adjustable stop 114 that will place theadjustable stop 114 in either the locked position or the unlockedposition.

As shown, several structures protrude from the lower face 162 of theadjustable stop 114. A shoulder 159 partially surrounds the cavity 166and provides support to the adjustable stop 114 relative to theelongated shank 112 such that the lower face 162 of the adjustable stop114 is held substantially perpendicular to the elongated shank 112. Astake 165 extends perpendicularly from the lower surface 162. The stake165 is configured to extend into the ground when the adjustable stop 114is used as a ball marker, such that the stake 165 secures the adjustablestop 114 in the ground against forces such as wind that might otherwisemove a ball marker. The adjustable stop 114 could be designed with morethan one stake 165, although a single stake 165 is believed to besufficient to hold the adjustable stop 114 in place as a ball marker.

A raised lip 163 protrudes from the lower face 162 and in part defines alocking channel 168 partially surrounding the cavity 166, through whicha tab member may travel when the stop is being moved between the lockedposition and the unlocked position. The locking channel 168 includes anupper face 178 that is generally co-planar with the lower face 162 ofthe adjustable stop 114. The locking channel also includes a seat 180disposed on a face of the raised lip 163, generally perpendicular to thelower face 162. The seat 180 is configured to constrain at least one ofthe tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 when the adjustable stop114 is in the locked position. The seat 180 is bordered by a stopsurface 181 on one side, which prevents the tab members 122, 124, 126,128, 130, or 132 from rotating beyond the seat 180. A snap bead 178borders the seat 180 opposite the top surface 181, and providesfrictional resistance such that the tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130,or 132, the bead wall 178, and/or the raised lip 163 must deflect orundergo deformation upon rotating past each other. The seat 180 isshaped to form a profile corresponding to the profile of the outersurface 140 of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132.

As discussed above, a preferred embodiment of the invention willminimize the structures that protrude from the lower surface 162 of theadjustable stop 114. One advantage of the illustrated embodiment is thatit incorporates the stake 165 in the same structure as the raised lip163 that defines the locking channel 168. This design enables the raisedlip 163 to act as part of the stake 165 that secures the adjustable stop114 to the ground when the adjustable stop 114 is used as a ball marker.Further, in a design using a single column of tab members 122, 124, 126,128, 130, and 132, only a single raised lip 163 is necessary to lock theadjustable member 114 to the elongated shank 112. This aspect of theillustrated embodiment further limits the number of structuresprotruding from the lower surface 162 of the adjustable stop 114.

FIG. 31 depicts a cross-sectional view of the elongated shank 112 in thelocked position within the adjustable stop 114. The outer surface 140 ofone of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 can be seen tofit within the seat 180. Within the locked position, the outer surface140 of one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 isconstrained by the stop surface 181 on one side, and by the snap bead178 on the other side.

The slide channel 172 is bounded on one side by another stop surface173, which prevents the elongated shank 112 from rotating away from thelocked position, due to interference with the tab members 122, 124, 126,128, 130, and 132. The stop surface 173 and the axial wall 191 acteither alone or in conjunction to limit rotational movement of theadjustable stop 114, depending on the vertical position of theadjustable stop 114 on the elongated shank 112. When the bottom surface138 of a tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 is aligned with thetop wall 176 of the locking channel 168, the axial wall 191 will limitthe rotational movement of the adjustable stop 114. When a tab member122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 is within the slide channel 172, thestop surface 173 will limit the rotational movement of the adjustablestop 114. Thus, the rotational movement of the stop member 114 islimited to a range between the unlocked position, at which the tabmembers 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 are aligned with the slidechannel 172; and a locked position, at which the tab members 122, 124,126, 128, 130, and 132 are aligned with the seat 180. The depictedembodiment allows a rotation of less than ninety degrees between thesetwo positions. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognizethat this range of rotation could be greater or less in otherembodiments.

During rotation between the locked position and the unlocked position,one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 will frictionallyinterfere with the snap bead 178, such that the adjustable golf tee 110will create a tactile click as the elongated shank 112 enters or leavesthe locked position. One or more of the snap bead 178, the raised lip163, a tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132, or the elongatedshank 112 will deflect or deform as the tab member 122, 124, 126, 128,130, or 132 passes the snap bead 178.

Referring now to FIG. 32, the upper surface 160 of the adjustable stop114 is shown in more detail. A ramp-shaped protrusion 179 partiallysurrounds the cavity 166. The ramp-shaped protrusion 179 is configuredto frictionally engage with the bottom surface 138 of one of the tabmembers 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 when the adjustable stop 114 isrotated to the locked position on the elongated shank 112. Theramp-shaped protrusion 179 contains a sloped portion 177, such that thefriction increases as the adjustable stop 114 is rotated from theunlocked position to the locked position relative to the tab members122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132.

FIGS. 33 and 34 provide additional detail regarding the interactionbetween the adjustable stop 114 and the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128,130, and 132. The distance 134 between the tab members 122, 124, 126,128, 130, and 132 is slightly greater than the distance between theupper surface 176 of the locking channel 168 and the upper surface 160of the adjustable stop 114. The ramp-shaped protrusion 179 protrudesfrom the upper surface 160 such that it interferes with the bottomsurface 138 of one of the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132.The adjustable stop 114 is captured between two of the tab members 122,124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 and is held generally perpendicular relativeto the elongated shank 112 because of the frictional interferencebetween the ramp-shaped protrusion 179 and the bottom surface 138, andbetween the upper surface 136 of a tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130,or 132 with the upper surface 176 of the locking channel 168. Bycapturing and holding the adjustable stop 114 in this generallyperpendicular fashion, the ramp-shaped protrusion 179 and the tabmembers 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132 supplement the lockinginteraction provided by the snap bead 178 and the outer surface 140 of atab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132. Thus, the locking force thatkeeps the adjustable stop 114 from inadvertently moving to the unlockedposition is increased. Further, the ramp-shaped protrusion 179 in partenables the invention to maintain locking strength while using a singlecolumn of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132. As discussedabove, using a single column of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and132 allows the illustrated embodiment to use a single raised lip 163,and to incorporate the stake 165 on the raised lip 163. This designminimizes the number of protrusions from the lower surface 162 of theadjustable stop 114, making the upper surface 160 of the adjustable stop114 substantially flush with the ground when the adjustable stop 114 isused as a ball marker.

A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that thislocking interaction could also be accomplished through the use ofsymmetrical or balanced rows of tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and132. FIGS. 1-12 illustrate one such embodiment, having two symmetricallyopposed tab structures positioned about the elongated shank 12. Thelocking interactions may also be accomplished separately by the snapbead 178 and tab member 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, or 132, or by theramp-shaped protrusion as discussed above. In a further alternative, thelocking may be accomplished by generally increasing the distance betweenthe top wall of the locking channel 168 and the upper surface 160 of theadjustable stop 114 such that the adjustable stop 114 frictionallyinterferes with the tab members 122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 withoutthe ramp-shaped protrusion 179. However, the use of the ramp-shapedprotrusion 179 is advantageous over this further alternative because itimplements a gradual increase in friction and resistance as theadjustable stop 114 is rotated to the locked position.

As depicted in FIGS. 33 and 34, the distance 134 between the tab members122, 124, 126, 128, 130, and 132 must be consistent so that theadjustable stop 114 will properly engage with the tab members 122, 124,126, 128, 130, and 132 when turned to the locked position. A person ofordinary skill in the art will recognize that the tab members 122, 124,126, 128, 130, and 132 may have substantially identical lengths, or mayhave variable lengths so long as the distance 134 between them remainssubstantially consistent.

The present disclosure thus provides a unique and effective means foreasily locating the sliding adjustable nut/stopper at a desired heightadjustment along the shank of a golf tee, and securing tab structure ofthe shank in a snap fit, locked position internally within thenut/stopper as it is rotated about the shank. It further provides ameans for increasing the distance and straightness of a ball driven froma tee, and provides a combination stopper/ball marker that isconveniently retained on the tee, making it more difficult to misplace.

While the invention has been described with reference to preferredembodiments, those skilled in the art will appreciate that certainsubstitutions, alterations and omissions may be made without departingfrom the spirit thereof. Accordingly, the foregoing description is meantto be exemplary only and should not be deemed limitative on the scope ofthe invention set forth with the following claims.

1. A golf tee comprising: a shank having a ball supporting end, a groundengaging end and a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly from the shanktherebetween; a stop being adjustable along the shank, the stop having adisc-shaped body defining a bore through which the shank extends, andbeing configured for separate vertical and rotational movement along theshank and to rotate between an unlocked position in which the stop istranslatable longitudinally along the shank and a locked position inwhich the stop is constrained against movement along the shank; and astake extending generally perpendicularly from the stop for connectingthe stop to the ground when the stop is separated from the shank.
 2. Thegolf tee of claim 1, wherein the stop further comprises a tab engagingportion configured for rotatably receiving at least one of the pluralityof tabs and for frictionally engaging with the at least one of theplurality of tabs to effect the locked position.
 3. The golf tee ofclaim 2, wherein the tab engaging portion is disposed on the stake andextends along at least a portion thereof.
 4. The golf tee of claim 1,wherein the plurality of tabs are arranged in vertically spacedrelationship between the ball end and ground end of the shank andpositioned in a column on at least one side of the shank.
 5. The golftee of claim 1, wherein the ball end comprises a plurality of prongsextending outwardly to support a golf ball.
 6. The golf tee of claim 5,wherein the plurality of prongs extend at an obtuse angle relative tothe shank.
 7. The golf tee of claim 1, wherein the disc-shaped body ofthe stop is substantially flat on a side opposite from the stake.
 8. Thegolf tee of claim 1, wherein the stop includes a rib at the bore that isconfigured for placement between two of the tabs to provide frictionalengagement of the stop between the two tabs when the stop is in thelocked position.
 9. An adjustable height golf tee comprising: anelongated shank having a ball supporting top end, a tapered bottom end,and a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly from the shank and arrangedin an axially spaced relationship between the top end and the bottomend; an adjustable stop with a top surface and a bottom surface,rotatable about the shank and mounted for axial sliding on the shank toestablish variable heights for the ball supporting top end of the shankrelative to a ground surface by preventing insertion of the shank intothe ground surface beyond the bottom surface of the stop; a cavitydefined by the stop with a slide channel for slidably receiving at leastone of the plurality of tabs when the stop is moved axially along theshank; a locking channel defined by the stop for rotatably receiving andreleasing at least one of the plurality of tabs when the stop is shiftedbetween a locked position and an unlocked position; and an interferencerib disposed adjacent a seat defined by the locking channel, andfrictionally engageable with at least one of the plurality of tabs toeffect the locked position of the stop.
 10. The golf tee of claim 9,wherein the ball supporting top end further comprises a plurality ofprongs projecting outwardly from the shank.
 11. The golf tee of claim11, wherein the terminal ends of the plurality of prongs are tapered tominimize contact area between the plurality of prongs and a ballsupported thereby.
 12. The golf tee of claim 10, wherein the pluralityof prongs project away from the elongated shank at substantially evenlyspaced angular intervals relative to one another.
 13. The golf tee ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of prongs project outwardly radiallyfrom the shank.
 14. The golf tee of claim 9, wherein the adjustablemember further comprises at least one stake shaped protrusion extendingfrom the bottom surface thereof and along the shank wherein the lockingchannel and the interference member are formed at least partly withinthe at least one protrusion.
 15. An adjustable golf tee comprising: anelongated shank having a plurality of tabs projecting outwardly from theshank and arranged along the axial length of the shank, a ballsupporting top end having a plurality of prongs projecting outwardly atthe top end for supporting a ball, and a tapered bottom end for beinginserted into the ground; a disc-shaped adjustable stop with upper andlower faces; a cavity disposed in the stop for receiving the shank and aslide channel formed in the cavity for receiving at least one of theplurality of tabs, wherein the stop is configured to rotate at leastpartially around the shank when positioned between two adjacent tabmembers and is configured to slide axially along the shank whenpositioned such that the tabs align with the slide channel; a lip-shapedprotrusion disposed on the stop, extending along the axial direction ofthe elongated shank, and having a locking surface for frictionallyreceiving at least a portion of any one of the plurality of tabs; and astake extending from the lower face of the stop for fixing the stop tothe ground when separated from the elongated shank.
 16. The golf tee ofclaim 15, wherein the plurality of prongs project radially from theshank at substantially evenly spaced intervals.
 17. The golf tee ofclaim 15, wherein the shank contains a single column of tabs.
 18. Thegolf tee of claim 15, wherein the adjustable stop includes a raised lipdisposed on one of the upper or lower faces surrounding at least aportion of the cavity, for interacting with the tabs to provide afriction fit between at least one of the tabs and the adjustable stop.19. The golf tee of claim 15, wherein the lip-shaped protrusion isdisposed on the stake.